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Paul McCartney — The World Tonight
Album: Flaming Pie
Avg rating:
6.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1601









Released: 1997
Length: 3:58
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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I saw you sitting at the centre of the circle
Everybody, everybody wanted something from you
I saw you sitting there

I saw you swaying to the rhythm of the music
Caught you playing, caught you praying to the voice inside you
I saw you swaying there

I don't care what you want to be
I go back so far I'm in front of me!
It doesn't matter what they say
They're giving the game away

I can see the world tonight
Look into the future
See it in a different light
I can see the world tonight

I heard you listening to a secret conversation
You were crying, you were trying not to let them hear you
I heard you listening in

Never mind what they want to do
You've got a right to your point of view!
It doesn't matter what they say
They're giving the game away

I can see the world tonight
Look into the future
See it in a different light
I can see the world tonight

I can see the world tonight

I saw you hiding from a flok of paparazzi
You were hoping, you were hoping that the ground would swallow you
I saw you hiding there

I don't care what you want to be
I go back so far I'm in front of me!
It doesn't matter what they say
They're giving the game away

I can see the world tonight
Look into the future
See it in a different light
I can see the world tonight

Look into the future
I can see the world tonight
See it in a different light
I can see the world tonight
I can see the world tonight
Comments (87)add comment
Damn, this is excellent!
Posted 1 day ago by bimmerfan739    [ Reply ]
 kcar wrote:

I hear Jeff Lynne's style. Also reminds me a bit of Steve Miller w/o guitar fireworks. 


Sounds Tom Petty-ish to me....
Posted 6 months ago by TallCreative1    [ Reply ]
 kurtster wrote:

Can't tell you the song but it is from the Rooftop Concert.


isn't it from "Get Back"?
Posted 8 months ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
 deepwoodskev wrote:

This sounds like Squeeze.


I hear Jeff Lynne's style. Also reminds me a bit of Steve Miller w/o guitar fireworks. 
Posted 10 months ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Ringo found the pocket on this one!  Terrific groove. 
Posted 11 months ago by curtlichter    [ Reply ]
This is Paul rocking out. Mr Oo Bla Di gittin down. LOL
Posted 1 year ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
 lily34 wrote:
uksminas wrote:


what a great video snip. can someone tell me what song they're performing here and when?
 
Can't tell you the song but it is from the Rooftop Concert.
Posted 1 year ago by kurtster    [ Reply ]
 uksminas wrote:


what a great video snip. can someone tell me what song they're performing here and when?
Posted 1 year ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
 Signwrtr61 wrote:

What am awesome piece of video history! Very cool to see them "in their groove"!! 


Yes!
Posted 1 year ago by bimmerfan739    [ Reply ]
 Relayer wrote:

Good song.  Not sure if he gets enough credit for his music of the last 20 years, but it still sounds good to me. 

I think I recall that the video was pretty simple of him and Linda, and later he revealed it was shot when she was really sick and near the end.  Sad.  She was a lovely woman that had to endure the wrath of so much mean spirited scrutiny.  Everyone should have just been happy he had a strong marriage and liked having his wife around.



Agree, especially your second paragraph. Well said, thank you.
Posted 1 year ago by bimmerfan739    [ Reply ]
 uksminas wrote:

What am awesome piece of video history! Very cool to see them "in their groove"!! 
Posted 1 year ago by Signwrtr61    [ Reply ]
 Relayer wrote:

Good song.  Not sure if he gets enough credit for his music of the last 20 years, but it still sounds good to me. 

I think I recall that the video was pretty simple of him and Linda, and later he revealed it was shot when she was really sick and near the end.  Sad.  She was a lovely woman that had to endure the wrath of so much mean spirited scrutiny.  Everyone should have just been happy he had a strong marriage and liked having his wife around.


Is Linda the subject of this song?  Enduring paparazzi and everyone wanting something from her?

I'll never forget purchasing "Ram," one of this first albums after the Beatles.  A nice cover photo of Sir Paul holding a ram by its horns, with "L.I.L.Y." scribbled into the zig-zag border.  Took a few minutes before I figured out that meant "Linda I Love You."  Made me a McCartney fan for the rest of my life.  (Yes, even through the abysmal years of "Wings".)


Posted 1 year ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
This was a perfect segue from Nick Lowe's "Breaking Glass".  Our wonderful Paul  playing New Wave in 1997.
Posted 1 year ago by AhhtheMusic    [ Reply ]
I really enjoyed this LP when it came out, and I periodically come back to listen. Glad to hear it get another spin. It's a record tinged with beauty and sadness, no just because one of the tracks is the last to feature his late wife Linda on backing vocals.

Paul performed almost all of the instruments on this album as well, it has a real DIY ethos to it. A soft, gentle album with some lovely songwriting. A few 'album cuts' but some really memorable tunes.

Pick up a copy on CD if you find it in a second-hand store and enjoy the liner notes.
Posted 1 year ago by christopherwoods    [ Reply ]
Didn't even recognize it as McCartney until a minute or two in
Posted 2 years ago by saamusic    [ Reply ]
Nice track. He still has it. I was foot-tapping, wondering who it was, but I should have guessed..!
Posted 2 years ago by paulbrun55    [ Reply ]
i suppose it's better than Oobla Di Oobla Da
Posted 2 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
 Baby_M wrote:
"I go back so far I'm in front of me."

That's a clever line, you gotta give it that.


Agreed. One has to think that McCartney's own history of success has become a thing that can sometimes stand in his way... 
Posted 2 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
Sounds like it could have been produced by Jeff Lynne!
Great tune, I remember it being on the radio a lot back then (remember "the radio"?)
Posted 2 years ago by Stratocaster    [ Reply ]
 deepwoodskev wrote:

This sounds like Squeeze.



But then, Squeeze always sounds a bit like the Beatles. So there's that.
Posted 3 years ago by bimmerfan739    [ Reply ]
 Relayer wrote:
I actually love this song. Good job Paul, better than 99% of the current pop crap on the FM radio.


I'll have to take your word for it; I pretty much gave up on radio once 'BCN signed off in 2009, for music anyway.
Posted 3 years ago by bimmerfan739    [ Reply ]
Oh Paul!!! Such a love! ❤️
Posted 3 years ago by tm    [ Reply ]
Like it. A lot, actually. 


Posted 3 years ago by WilliDoc    [ Reply ]
 jelgator wrote:
"Flaming Pile"

JK it's a good song
 


"Flaming Pile"

Not kidding.

Posted 3 years ago by sfyi2001    [ Reply ]
A song about Princess Diana?
Posted 3 years ago by Ok_Sobriquet    [ Reply ]
 uksminas wrote:


 

Posted 3 years ago by noe.architecte169    [ Reply ]
This sounds like Squeeze.
Posted 4 years ago by deepwoodskev    [ Reply ]
 uksminas wrote:
 
That's not this. That is something worthwhile.
Posted 4 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
This is awful! People actually like this?
Posted 4 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
I don't know about the rest of the album, but this song is as mediocre as most Wings songs.
Posted 4 years ago by kazoo    [ Reply ]
Poppy McMopTop !
Posted 4 years ago by sfyi2001    [ Reply ]
Good song.  Not sure if he gets enough credit for his music of the last 20 years, but it still sounds good to me. 

I think I recall that the video was pretty simple of him and Linda, and later he revealed it was shot when she was really sick and near the end.  Sad.  She was a lovely woman that had to endure the wrath of so much mean spirited scrutiny.  Everyone should have just been happy he had a strong marriage and liked having his wife around.
Posted 4 years ago by Relayer    [ Reply ]
"Flaming Pile"

JK it's a good song
Posted 4 years ago by jelgator    [ Reply ]
 DaidyBoy wrote:
There's something by Nick Lowe lurking in this ...
 Yes, I hear it!
Posted 4 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
Love it! 10/10
Posted 4 years ago by Matt_Maurer    [ Reply ]
Posted 4 years ago by uksminas    [ Reply ]
 shhhh777 wrote:

yeah.
Raw'ly Paul...
Honestly
 
Suggest "Ram".
Posted 4 years ago by shhhh777    [ Reply ]
 christopherwoods wrote:
This album's an enjoyable play through - Sir Paul performed almost all of the instruments on most tracks AISTR from the liner notes. It features some of his friends and family, including his son James and his late wife Linda on backing vox in the simple but elegant track 'Great Day' (which is from an early 90s session).

Some of the tracks are a little rudimentary, but they're all pretty memorable and it's fun to hear him having fun. More tracks from this LP should be played more often, they're lovely. Nice to hear The World Tonight getting a spin.
 
yeah.
Raw'ly Paul...
Honestly
Posted 4 years ago by shhhh777    [ Reply ]
This album's an enjoyable play through - Sir Paul performed almost all of the instruments on most tracks AISTR from the liner notes. It features some of his friends and family, including his son James and his late wife Linda on backing vox in the simple but elegant track 'Great Day' (which is from an early 90s session).

Some of the tracks are a little rudimentary, but they're all pretty memorable and it's fun to hear him having fun. More tracks from this LP should be played more often, they're lovely. Nice to hear The World Tonight getting a spin.
Posted 4 years ago by christopherwoods    [ Reply ]
 brw001 wrote:
If he had just stopped at this album.
 
Oh bullshit. He's put out some good stuff since. Not all but a lot. NEW is very good. Egypt Station is good as well. 
Posted 5 years ago by BCarn    [ Reply ]
 xray38 wrote:
Actually, Paul was the experimental one when it came to music. Most of his experimental stuff was so out there, it never made daylight, especially in that era. There's another side of McCartney lurking out there. 
 
Like this, especially the twin guitars.  (Overdubbed?  Spread in stereo?)  Agreed that Sir Paul has an large experimental stripe in his character.
Posted 5 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
 Grayson wrote:


Yeah, I get that. But it's mostly just another Paul efforting to make the songs out of/from the psych drugs of yore. He never was really the best at... all that kinda stuff. Doesn't mix so great with the pop songs, to state the obvious. But hey! He knew how to back off and let John take that rein for the most part. I mean, I was just thinking about "Ram On" the other day. And cringing mightily, too.  
 
Actually, Paul was the experimental one when it came to music. Most of his experimental stuff was so out there, it never made daylight, especially in that era. There's another side of McCartney lurking out there. 
Posted 5 years ago by xray38    [ Reply ]
 juicymouth wrote:
dick comment

 123heyaho! wrote:


Yeah, this song is so new; no chance you could have known it before, especially as a Beatles fan...

 


 
New, pwehaps. I was reminded of _Vanilla Sky_ for some reason, though.
Posted 5 years ago by ArrayMac    [ Reply ]
 DaidyBoy wrote:
There's something by Nick Lowe lurking in this ...
 

Yeah, I get that. But it's mostly just another Paul efforting to make the songs out of/from the psych drugs of yore. He never was really the best at... all that kinda stuff. Doesn't mix so great with the pop songs, to state the obvious. But hey! He knew how to back off and let John take that rein for the most part. I mean, I was just thinking about "Ram On" the other day. And cringing mightily, too.  
Posted 5 years ago by Grayson    [ Reply ]
There's something by Nick Lowe lurking in this ...
Posted 5 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
If he had just stopped at this album.
Posted 5 years ago by brw001    [ Reply ]
dick comment

 123heyaho! wrote:

Yeah, this song is so new; no chance you could have known it before, especially as a Beatles fan...
 

Posted 5 years ago by juicymouth    [ Reply ]
Decent.  Grows with subsequent listens.  
Posted 5 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
"Flaming Pie" is a very good album in total!
Posted 5 years ago by 123heyaho!    [ Reply ]
 mojave-life wrote:
I am a Beatles fan, so I was totally surprised, that I did not recognize his voice in this song. Liking this song, I wanted to know, who it was and was totally blown.
 
Yeah, this song is so new; no chance you could have known it before, especially as a Beatles fan...
Posted 5 years ago by 123heyaho!    [ Reply ]
I am a Beatles fan, so I was totally surprised, that I did not recognize his voice in this song. Liking this song, I wanted to know, who it was and was totally blown.
Posted 5 years ago by mojave-life    [ Reply ]
 Relayer wrote:
I actually love this song. Good job Paul, better than 99% of the current pop crap on the FM radio.
 
Agreed. Nay sayers go home!
Posted 5 years ago by konakid    [ Reply ]
Really enjoy this.  Don't remember hearing it, so thought it might be from his new release, Egypt Station.  Makes me want to hear what Egypt Station includes...
Posted 6 years ago by bmccaul    [ Reply ]
 Baby_M wrote:
"I go back so far I'm in front of me."

That's a clever line, you gotta give it that.

 
Indeed. His best album, imnsho.
Posted 6 years ago by SeriousLee    [ Reply ]
 Grayson wrote:
"I go back so far I'm in front of me!" We all have moments like that. Then we remember we haven't yet had our Baroness Haden-Guest derived Activia® for the day, and get on with unloading the dishwasher and on over to Whole Foods.
 
     I know, right.. what? {#Think}
Posted 6 years ago by moodfood    [ Reply ]
"I go back so far I'm in front of me!" We all have moments like that. Then we remember we haven't yet had our Baroness Haden-Guest derived Activia® for the day, and get on with unloading the dishwasher and on over to Whole Foods.
Posted 6 years ago by Grayson    [ Reply ]
Don't know if I ever heard this before - nice tune - had to look in I was guessing Pete Townsend. 
Posted 11 years ago by Dave_K    [ Reply ]
 ziakut wrote:
I like going against the grain I suppose. This album is actually really good. A bit too much Jeff Lynne influenced, but it's still good.

 
JEFF LYNNE IS A GENIUS.
Posted 11 years ago by finoufk    [ Reply ]
I love this song, and I love Paul. 
Posted 12 years ago by Rooney    [ Reply ]
"I go back so far I'm in front of me."

That's a clever line, you gotta give it that.
Posted 12 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
I like going against the grain I suppose. This album is actually really good. A bit too much Jeff Lynne influenced, but it's still good.
Posted 12 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
 Shesdifferent wrote:
I always loved this album...I don't care what anyone says...
 
COMPLETELY agree. 
Posted 12 years ago by casey1024    [ Reply ]
I always loved this album...I don't care what anyone says...
Posted 12 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
Why doesn't he go and rest in his farm in the English countryside?
Posted 12 years ago by otto63    [ Reply ]
 Paul McCartney is Paul McCartney and always has been.  I think there is a certain back lash that comes with fame and success.  After a while it becomes uncool to like someone that has been around so long.  This is a good song and if McCartney was an unkown that was just getting discovered people would be touting an incredible new talent.  I think there is a sliding scale when it comes to appreciating talent and it has to do with the exciting feeling of discovering someone or something new and feeling you are part of something new and exciting.  You don't get that with older artists. 
whomhow wrote:
So funny - good (not the best, but still) PM song gets lower rates than most of Wilco, Cracker, Spoon, the Decemberists, the Raconteurs, the Doves, the Shins, Crowded House, My Morning Jacket, Neko Case (and so on) staff! Just think about it!
 


Posted 12 years ago by PopKombo    [ Reply ]
I thought "1979" was the Best. Song. Ever. but since RP played this I don't want to hear any other song. Perfect distillation of every Beatles/Badfinger impulse this genius Gemini produced.

God B and R thanks for keepin it lit. Bill since KLRB and KFAT days, thanks for being a vessel, a compendium of great Radio for the ages - and ressurrecturing Robin Trower - don't get no more classic radio than that ;) ) 
Posted 12 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
I actually love this song. Good job Paul, better than 99% of the current pop crap on the FM radio.
Posted 12 years ago by Relayer    [ Reply ]
 whomhow wrote:
So funny - good (not the best, but still) PM song gets lower rates than most of Wilco, Cracker, Spoon, the Decemberists, the Raconteurs, the Doves, the Shins, Crowded House, My Morning Jacket, Neko Case (and so on) staff! Just think about it!
 
Let us not applaud mediocrity - that's what Top 40 stations are for.

Posted 12 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]
 whomhow wrote:
So funny - good (not the best, but still) PM song gets lower rates than most of Wilco, Cracker, Spoon, the Decemberists, the Raconteurs, the Doves, the Shins, Crowded House, My Morning Jacket, Neko Case (and so on) staff! Just think about it!
 
Sad truth is Paul hasn't written a great song in 40 years, those other guys have. Even the great ones run out of Juice.

Posted 12 years ago by Dalebarely    [ Reply ]
So funny - good (not the best, but still) PM song gets lower rates than most of Wilco, Cracker, Spoon, the Decemberists, the Raconteurs, the Doves, the Shins, Crowded House, My Morning Jacket, Neko Case (and so on) staff! Just think about it!
Posted 12 years ago by whomhow    [ Reply ]
Great album, great song.
Posted 12 years ago by Stratocaster    [ Reply ]
Come on, we don't have to hear this song once every 8 1/2 years.
Posted 12 years ago by Dalebarely    [ Reply ]
The pieces of this song do not fit well together.

And it is sorely lacking in verve.
Posted 12 years ago by steeler    [ Reply ]
don\'t rate this song particularly but - as usual - I love Paul\'s vocals
Posted 21 years ago by PaulG    [ Reply ]
Few songs will make me turn off RP....this is one.
Posted 21 years ago by slowman    [ Reply ]
Pretty pathetic.
Posted 21 years ago by eric    [ Reply ]
I was positive this was \"I\'m Only Happy When It Rains\" by Junk when it first started. And George was found guilty of plagurism?!?
Posted 21 years ago by RParadise    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by beelzebubba: Aw come on. Yeah, Paul pisses me off quite frequently, but Ringo is cool! Besides, Ringo is the train conductor dude now!
Have you heard his latest CD... ? We as listeners were expected to inject alot of nostalgia into the CD before hitting play... Darn near embarrassing
Posted 21 years ago by halcatus    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by halcatus: He and Ringo should go back out on the road.. like right in the middle of it..... in black suits.... at night... Hack!
Aw come on. Yeah, Paul pisses me off quite frequently, but Ringo is cool! Besides, Ringo is the train conductor dude now!
Posted 21 years ago by beelzebubba    [ Reply ]
dreck. mccartney hasnt done anything but garbage since ram, and even that was borderline. it sounds like he\'s trying to rip off george harrison on this one, and that would be george on a bad day.
Posted 21 years ago by firesign    [ Reply ]
He and Ringo should go back out on the road.. like right in the middle of it..... in black suits.... at night... Hack!
Posted 21 years ago by halcatus    [ Reply ]
Just further reinforcement that Paul is my least favorite Beatle.
Posted 21 years ago by beelzebubba    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by roguewarer: First listen. Hmmm....a little Travelling Wilburyish to me. Like it so far.
When I read these tea leaves, I see... Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros? Damn! What's in that tea?
Posted 21 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by roguewarer: First listen. Hmmm....a little Travelling Wilburyish to me. Like it so far.
Linear notes says Jeff Lynne played on and produced the CD. So there is your Wilbury's influence.
Posted 21 years ago by KevinM    [ Reply ]
sounds good here in the mist of the mix
Posted 21 years ago by ladyj    [ Reply ]
Near the top of Macca\'s solo works. \"Somedays\" from this cd is a lovely song that would sound good on RP now and then.
Posted 21 years ago by mperry    [ Reply ]